Canada vs morocco betting Tips and Stats

I don’t think Morocco’s triumph over the Netherlands was a surprise at all. They were largely in control on the night, and that was a continuation of their form from the group stages. Ismael Saibari was a huge reason for that early success this summer, and in a game in which I expect them to be on top, he’s the man I’m looking towards for that decisive goal contribution.

Hot off the confirmation of his 50 million euro move to Bayern Munich, Saibari is going to be playing with freedom. We’ve already seen him score three times at the World Cup thus far, with the forward netting in each of Morocco’s group games. He has the pace to get in behind, as evidenced against both Brazil and Scotland, but he’s also bullish, and even if he didn’t score against the Netherlands he caused van Hecke in particular all sorts of problems.

Saibari came into the World Cup having registered 23 goal contributions in 28 Eredivisie games, and that was largely from midfield. Now, as the main man up top, you’re expecting even better output. Let’s be clear as well, Canada’s only real test thus far was Switzerland, a game in which they conceded twice. Saibari has everything he needs to out maneuver and outmuscle this Canadian backline, and he will find space.

The main area of focus in this one has to be the midfield. Canada will need to try and gain some control, but it’s an area in which I think Morocco can dominate given the quality at their disposal. They’ll look to win the ball back quickly, they’ll look to press aggressively, and whilst that will pay off, there will no doubt be occasions in which they go over the top.

Cue Neil El Aynaoui, who quite frankly has been an absolute nutter thus far at the World Cup. He’s great on the ball, but he can be horrible to play against, with an engine that carries 90 minutes and a willingness to throw himself into every challenge. He’s committed 11 fouls so far at the World Cup at an average of 2.62 P/90. To put that into context, that’s more than any other player in the Morocco squad, and the third most of any player in the entire competition.

Haiti are the only nation that El Aynaoui hasn’t committed a foul against at the World Cup to this point, with four fouls vs Brazil, two vs Scotland, and five vs the Netherlands. Canada absolutely fall into the range of nations with enough quality to draw something out of the Moroccan midfielder, and you’re looking at the likes of Stephen Eustaquio and Nathan Saliba to do so; they combine for 2.47 fouls drawn P/90.

This is a game that absolutely suits corners. Morocco should control the game in large parts, and that sustained pressure should lead to corners in theory, but in Canada they’re facing one of the best, and most consistent, nations in this market at the World Cup. Both sides will pick up corners here, so expect that count to tick on up.

Let’s start with Canada, whose numbers probably come as a bit of a shock. They’re averaging 11.75 match corners at the World Cup, with nine or more landing in three of their four games. Even better, Canada have won at least four corners in every game they’ve played, and won at least seven in all three of their group games. They may well be on the back foot here, but the signs are there to suggest that they can rack up a few themselves.

As for Morocco, the numbers have really started to rack up in terms of corners as they’ve progressed. Their game with the Netherlands saw 12 corners, with Morocco picking up seven themselves, whilst they won nine corners against Haiti, and five against Scotland. Their games average 9.25 corners, but with that number trending upwards, and their performances improving, there’s no reason as to why Morocco can’t do some heavy lifting here.